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soul by the blessed Spirit himself, as to some part of my confidently-asserted opinions. I feared that I had been led to deny the essential Deity of my only hope—the Son of God. Need I tell you with what intensity of feeling I entered anew upon the subject? It lasted more or less through the whole of the investigation, and this period exceeded two years. At the end of this, I wrote a letter to the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine,' surrendering all the opinions contained in my book subversive of the doctrine of the Trinity, bought up the copies in the printer's hands, and have been purchasing those which my friends can lay hold of, to the present period.

"It would have been a relief to your mind, had you known that, about 1822 or 1823,* I wrote a short refutation of my own work, and made the humbling exhibition of an author confuting himself. This, however, I very gladly did, rejoicing in the midst of my shame to give testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus, to declare that all my hope of happiness, here or in heaven, is in a Triune God, that the gracious Spirit could secretly move, enlighten, humble, restore, even though his distinct personality had been denied, and that Jesus could blot out the sin that had been so directly, immediately, and ungratefully transacted against Himself.

"Such, beloved brother, is the humiliating detail. It is the history of a great sinner, but it is the unfolding of great grace towards him.

"Did I know you, I might not feel the hesitation which I do, in giving one word of warning. Beware of speculations in divine truth. Beware of a proud, lofty spirit, cloaking itself under the guise of an independent

* Mr. Evans here mistakes; it was in 1826, as we have seen.

mind. Beware of being influenced by great names, and even holy men, in coming to a conclusion in divine things.

"I feel much love for you, for your faithfulness and gentleness. It is a little of Christ; to His glory be the praise.

"I am, beloved brother,

"Yours affectionately in Him,

"JAMES H. EVANS."

Soon after he had, by the grace of God, emerged from these dangerous errors, a circumstance occurred which had also an important bearing on his after-life and ministry. Laid aside from preaching for many weeks by an affection in the throat, to which he was liable, he, with his wife and family, visited Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, and while there he became acquainted with an experienced servant of Christ, for whom he, from that time, entertained the highest regard and veneration,-the Rev. Richard Adams. The intercourse enjoyed with this man of God was signally blessed to him and to his wife; and Mr. Adams was the means also of directing his attention to Dr. Owen's works, particularly his "Treatise on the Hundred and Thirtieth Psalm," which was perused by him with the greatest delight, and which opened to his mind the view of God the Father as a forgiving God, full of love and tenderness, and of that love flowing to His people through His dear Son, which was so prominent a feature in his preaching in the latter years of his life. Mr. Evans always looked back to this visit to Cowes as one of especial blessing to him, and he maintained the warmest friendship with Mr. Adams until the death of the latter, in September, 1846.

In the year 1825, his father, to whom he was most tenderly attached, was removed by death, after an illness in which his son watched him with the most unremitting attention. He had the inexpressible consolation of believing that God had blessed his constant endeavours to bring his beloved parent to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, that the strong-holds of self-righteousness were broken down, and that he expired humbly trusting in the merits of his Redeemer.

About this time Mr. Evans was induced to take a few pupils, and as he educated his own children at home, they together enjoyed the benefit of his instructions. He had a particular delight in imparting knowledge; and whether in the hours of study or recreation, gained the affections of the boys committed to his charge, by his warm interest in all that concerned their welfare and happiness.

"I can never forget," writes a friend, "a long day passed under his roof in May, 1828. I arrived during breakfast, and found Mr. and Mrs. Evans surrounded, as it appeared, by a family of their own children. This, however, was not the case, as part of them were pupils,— interesting boys, who had the manner of looking up to them as to parents. Breakfast over, the servants assembled for family worship. The chapter read, each one taking a verse, was Exodus xxv. The children sat around the table, and Mr. Evans questioned them upon its contents, and explained it as he proceeded, setting forth its typical and spiritual import, and making an inquiry of the young ones from time to time, to keep up the attention, and interest their minds. Prayer followed, after which the studies of the morning commenced, during which I was permitted to be present. Natural

philosophy was one subject among others, and we were taken into a small darkened room, where was a lighted lamp to illustrate the moon's course in the heavens, and the causes of her various phases. All studied together, and studied with a freshness and alacrity I never saw before. A walk through the fields, and on the beautiful heath, succeeded, during which our conversation was most interesting; and after dinner, when the children had gone to their lessons alone, we had some Scripture reading. The subject selected was Jer. xvii. 7, 8, and the remarks and conversation that followed upon it were deeply instructive. We were then sent for to tea, which was hastened that a promise might be fulfilled of exhibiting the works of God by means of a microscope, and each object, as it was brought before us, was described, and the purposes of it dwelt upon. In this the juvenile party, as well as their elders, took a lively interest. Evening family worship succeeded, Mrs. Evans leading upon the piano the hymn of Newton, How sweet the name of Jesus sounds,' which they joined in singing, and prayer closed the happy and profitable day."

The year 1831 was marked by the heaviest affliction that could have befallen him,-the loss of his beloved wife, after a union of nearly twenty-one years. The blow was as sudden and unexpected as it was severe. She arose apparently in perfect health on Sunday, the 27th of February, was taken ill at the Sunday-school about ten o'clock, and conveyed to the private rooms at the chapel, whence she could never be removed, and expired in nine days. She was a woman in every way worthy of him, and had proved herself a most valuable help and coadjutor, in all the varying circumstances of his life. It is not needful to say more concerning her in this place,

as has been before stated, her husband himself drew up a short memoir of her, with a view to publication. It was, however, never printed, nor indeed entirely completed, but will be found with other papers at the close of this memoir. He was in consequence of this loss obliged to give up his pupils, and to send his children from home to complete their education, and his health was seriously affected by his mental suffering. After two years' widowhood, he married a daughter of Robert Bird, Esq., of Taplow, Bucks, whose family had long enjoyed his friendship, and that of his deceased wife.

In 1838, his only daughter, to whom he was most tenderly attached, accompanied her husband to India—a separation most deeply felt by him, as will be seen hereafter in his correspondence; while, as will also be remarked, the Lord most graciously gave him the desire of his heart, in allowing him, before his departure, to receive her again, after an absence of some years.

We pass over many circumstances which followed in his history, our main object being to present him to the reader as a Pastor, a Minister, and a Christian, during that part of his life in which God so eminently owned his ministry in the edification of His people, and in the conversion of sinners. In so doing, however, we would not forget the apostle's words, "by the grace of God I am what I am," and would remember, also, that no one more sedulously gave the glory to Him to whom alone it is due, than did the subject of this memoir.

From the time of the Church in John-street being formed, Mr. Evans laboured intensely after its purity. He was not contented to walk by the light which was held up by others, or simply to follow in the path which

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